Microsoft's head of mobile communications was among the high profile departures announced Thursday. This picture shows Qwest Wireless's Mogul by HTC, powered by Windows Mobile 6 with Windows Live. (Associated Press)

(Newser)
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Under pressure from strong competition, especially in the cellphone business, Microsoft revealed a major executive shakeup yesterday, reports the New York Times. Mobile communications operations senior VP Pieter Knook is heading off to help Vodafone get into mobile Internet services, according to the Wall Street Journal. Another big departure is Steve Berkowitz, online services senior VP.

Microsoft's new focus on its cellphone business comes after Apple’s iPhone, in just a few months, grabbed a larger share of the US smartphone market than Windows Mobile-powered devices. Google’s upcoming Android OS poses another threat. Microsoft’s announcement earlier this week that it will buy Danger, maker of the SideKick consumer Internet phone, revealed the company is looking to expand beyond Windows Mobile.